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Tarantula Sentry Guns in 8th


Alcyon

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These are now BS 4+ and cost 60pts with twin Lascannons (must shoot nearest non-infantry model) and 45pts for twin Assault Cannons. That's 45pts cheaper than a Razorback, a substantial amount. You can also take them in units of 1-3 which is nice for FO.

 

Do you think the limitations of a 4+ to hit and targeting are too much to deal with, or are these potentially great pick-ups for people running non-mechanized lists? I'm looking at a Raptors army "infiltrating" Grav devs, Sternguard and Company Vets with Lias and several Sniper Scout squads, and this might be a cheap way to add a lot of firepower.

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Tarantulas are super amazing in 8E. They fulfill HS taxes for Relics or CP detachments, they're super cheap, and they're more durable now compared to 6E even after they were buffed from 5E, and best of all, they're extremely fluffy for chapters like Raven Guard, Raptors, Carcharodons, basically any chapter that operates from a fleet or stealth, or who just like turrets.

 

I'm personally waiting on FW to restock the Space Marine variant of the Lascannon Tarantula as I don't want the IG model, but I believe the Assault Cannon one may be more ideal as they are a very cheap source of a good weapon that's hard to get a lot of for cheap, while LCs can be had anywhere. With 8E, all the options seem good really, except the HB being outclassed by the AsC.

A full unit with one of them being a cheep HB variant allows you to let this one die first prolonging the life of the tarantulas with the expensive weapons without spending many points.

This is an advantage only cheap chassis organized in units have, most of all the tarantula, obviously. I wouldn’t miss out on this one.

Also, the HB is universal enough with a decent range to not suffer much from the automated targeting.

worst comes to worst stick a captain near them for +1 to hit.

 

okay maybe that is a little extreme but given how expensive tanks have become this could be a great way to squeeze in some more guns to free up points so you can kit out your HQs, command and veteran squads with more toys.

These are now BS 4+ and cost 60pts with twin Lascannons (must shoot nearest non-infantry model) and 45pts for twin Assault Cannons. That's 45pts cheaper than a Razorback, a substantial amount. You can also take them in units of 1-3 which is nice for FO.

 

Do you think the limitations of a 4+ to hit and targeting are too much to deal with, or are these potentially great pick-ups for people running non-mechanized lists? I'm looking at a Raptors army "infiltrating" Grav devs, Sternguard and Company Vets with Lias and several Sniper Scout squads, and this might be a cheap way to add a lot of firepower.

FO?

I aways imagined tarantula guns being deployed via teleport to a enemies rear to cut off an escape route, or deployed a strategic choke points in zone mortalis type situations. Alas new rules for Zone Mortalis are yet to be released. 

 

The Assault cannon variant looks extra tasty and obnoxious in quality. 

I've looked at them for my deathwatch. I can imagine them being deployed to secure an objective like in dow2. For 99 pts I can have 2 hb and 1 ac which should be suitable to defend a point when backed up by a stalker kill team. The rest of my army can push forward to harass the enemy.

Interesting, I was looking at these and I noticed small differences between the IG Tarantula and the Astartes one.

 

The Astra Militarum one is classed as artillery, takes a heavy support slot, and they have to be deployed near each other.

 

The Astartes Tarantula has better leadership at leadership 10 (lol) is classed as an immobile vehicle, and is a fast attack slot, but it has one less wound.

 

It doesn't have to deploy near others, and it has the melta and assault cannon options. The heavy bolter is 3 points more expensive than the IG version, lascannon 10 points more expensive than its counterpart.

 

And finally, the Astartes Tarantula benefits from applicable faction buffs and I imagine the IG one does as well.

 

I have 2 of the really old out of print tarantulas, one heavy bolter and one heavy flamer (I will have to use it as an astartes multi melta now).

I like the idea of a 27 point HB sentry gun extending the 9" no deep strike bubble.

 

I dunno about paying 60 points for a lascannon one though.  I guess if you have a nice building to sit it on top of, you could even get cover bonus if its obscured enough and would have a nice vantage point.

I like the idea of a 27 point HB sentry gun extending the 9" no deep strike bubble.

 

I dunno about paying 60 points for a lascannon one though.  I guess if you have a nice building to sit it on top of, you could even get cover bonus if its obscured enough and would have a nice vantage point.

It is a cool idea. For me it'd be hard to justify even 27pts for a static model that infantry can stay out of range of (though 36" is a lot.) I think the Lascannon one has enough range and is shooting big enough things that it won't be as hampered by cover, and it's the cheapest way to buy Lascannons that I can find. If you were considering buying a 2xLascannon Devastator Squad I don't think the points premium you pay is really worth 3+ BS.

In the previous editions, I think the Tarantula was limited to 36" even when it had the LC equipped. It's pretty useful with the old table deployments because it had options for Deep Strike or other means to get it where you need to, such as as far up the board as possible, or in the biggest lane of fire. A scant handful of points that would have gotten you two bolter marines being used on a much sturdier object that you can randomly place somewhere annoying is pretty useful.

 

Although reading the rules, the LC is 48" now so it might be that's the best option if you actually want this thing to stay alive and do something, although it's also way more expensive than the other options and even more expensive than it used to cost. I feel like even at 36" the LC was a better deal in the previous editions as it only cost 10 points more.

  • 8 months later...

Warning: Threadomancy

 

I’m considering purchasing a couple sentry guns for my backfield due to the Big FAQ.

 

I need help with a question. I want to purchase them as an Auxiliary Detachment. When selecting them as your 1 available FA choice ... Do they have to be deployed together or can they be deployed separately on the battlefield?

 

The second way they do me no good. The first way they serve me as backfield deniers for Turn Two deep strike. I can’t figure out another way to buy them that’s cost effective.

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